German Nazis' dress code angers British firm

By Hannah Cleaver in Berlin

12:00AM GMT 22 Feb 2001

GERMAN authorities have warned teachers that youths wearing clothing made by the British firm Lonsdale may be involved with neo-Nazism.

Along with big boots and short haircuts, sweaters emblazoned with the Lonsdale name are being used as far-Right symbols. Worn under open jackets, only the centre of the logo is visible: "NS" or "NSDA", standing for the National Socialist Democratic Workers' Party - the official name of the Nazi party.

The London-based company said it was aware of the trend. A spokesman pointed out: "We make active attempts to try to prevent sale of our products to outlets which are specifically geared to that kind of customer - shops which have a military bias, for example.

"There are other brands which these people also favour. It is just unfortunate that ours stand out more than the others. If you see a crowd of skinheads, you can see the big Lonsdale logo on some shirts."

There was little the company could to do prevent its shirts being bought and its name being abused in such a manner, said the spokesman. "Our name comes from the Earl of Lonsdale. The company started as a sporting club at the end of the 19th century. We can't change it.

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"It's a name and it is certainly not associated or designed with neo-Nazis in mind. It was a family name well before fascism reared its ugly head in Europe."

Isabelle Kalbitzer, of the Berlin state office for the protection of the constitution, has told local teachers: "Whoever thinks that neo-Nazis today are still recognisable by combat boots with white laces and bomber jackets is mistaken." She added: "When these [Lonsdale] shirts are worn under jackets, the letters NSDA can be clearly seen."

The Union of Education and Science is organising a series of seminars at which teachers will be shown what the authorities believe to be the latest developments in far-Right fashion.

The German telecommunications giant Deutsche Telekom apologised yesterday for inadvertently using an advertising phrase that was a former Nazi slogan.

The words Jedem das Seine (To each what he deserves), which Deutsche Telekom used in 15 million brochures, was once written over the entry to Buchenwald concentration camp.

A Deutsche Telekom spokesman said the copywriter from the company that created the brochure had not known the origin of the expression, which would no longer be used.